| In the past, I had a disdain for America. When did I | | | | Plouffe a former Capitol Hill aide and Axelrod protege, |
| develop this angriness toward the American | | | | devised a strategy for the democratic nomination that |
| government? It began on the aftermath of the | | | | concentrated on picking up delegates in caucus states |
| September 11 attack. So readers, it's important to note | | | | that Mrs. Clinton ignored. |
| that I was in full support of the Clinton administration | | | | His message of change ensured he won the primaries |
| and the early part of the Bush administration. As I said | | | | and US election. His victory was also helped by the |
| earlier my disdain for the American government was | | | | economic crises that engulfed the United States and |
| because of the aftermath of the September 11 | | | | the world in general. His election created some |
| attacks. This is so because of the poor handling of the | | | | historical milestone which include but is not limited to |
| situation. I will attribute Bush major problem to poor | | | | 1) The highest percentages of voters turn-out since |
| advisers, and also, may be to family prestige. Where it | | | | 1908 with turn out of 65.7%. Turn-out in 1908 was |
| has been said he went to war to complete what his | | | | about 64%. |
| father started during the gulf war, as has been | | | | 2) Obama became the first democrat to win a |
| insinuated in some quarters. Bush poor handling of this | | | | majority of American voters since Jimmy Carter 1976 |
| crisis, coupled with blatant disregard to United Nation | | | | election. |
| orders, because of United States status as a world | | | | 3) He became the first African American president. |
| power did not go down with many people. Under Bush | | | | While republicans and Mrs. Clinton saw the political |
| regime, American rating in comity of nation as a | | | | possibilities of the internet as gimmicks; Senator |
| country worthy of emulation in relation to democratic | | | | Obama made it central to his campaign and his fund |
| principles fell. This is why Obama' triumph has brought | | | | raising apparatus, generating almost 1 billion dollars, |
| joy all over the world. | | | | another record. |
| McCain's defeat in the US election boils down to Bush | | | | As a Foot Note; senator Obama unprecedented |
| handling of the country affairs and also to Obama | | | | success is based on a number of factors which are |
| rigorous campaign. Obama election is an election of | | | | best captured in two folds: change and hope. His |
| change. During the democratic primaries, he | | | | campaign was predicated on change; the change we |
| surmounted a formidable opposition (Hillary Clinton). | | | | need and the change we believe in. |
| This was possible through two loyal political operatives: | | | | With these words, I hope change will be wrought in our |
| David Axelrod, his chief strategist and a Chicago | | | | life, in our mind and in our soul. A change to make the |
| veteran with history of working to elect black | | | | world a better place. |
| candidates in majority white contest; while David | | | | |